by our College Data Analytics Team
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their international studies graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the early-career earnings of their international studies graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose international studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is University Of San Francisco, our #1 for international studies graduate salaries in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. International Studies graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of about $86,010 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. International Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $58,010 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in international studies will find them at Northwest University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University is a private not-for-profit institution. International Studies graduates of Northwest University earn a median of about $59,535 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies earned it the #4 place for international studies. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,535.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries international studies graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 4 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
